The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1887-11-17
ADoLPH FISCHER.
LOUIS LINGG'S LETTER.

To Mr.. R. J. Oglesby, Governor of Illinois:
Anent TIE TACT that the progressive and liberty
loving portion of the American people are en-
deavorihs to prevail upon you to interpose YOUR
pferogatlve in my case feel iinpeled to de-
clare. with my friend and comrade Persons that
l demand either liberty death. Ii You are
really servant OF TIE people according to the
constitution Of the couiitry, then you viii by
virtue CT your CiIce, unCoGditionally release me-
Referring to the general and inalienable RIGHTS
OF men, have called upon the dislnhcTited and
oppressed masses to oppose the force of their on
preSsOrS-exercised by armed enforcement Of il
famous laws enacted in the interest OF cayital-
manly existence by securing the full = t;lrps of
their labor This-and only this--is the crime
which was proven ae-aiHst me, Notwithstanding
the employment of perjured testimony on tie
part Of the state. And this crime is euarantepd
not only as right, but as duty, by the Alneri-
Can constitution, the representative of which Won
But if you are not the representative OF the
constitutions ike the great majority IF office
holders, mere tool of the monopolists or n
ssecilic politlcal Clique, you viii not encroach
upon the thirst for blood displayed by the ex
tortioners, because mere mitigation Of the vcr-
diet would be cOWardice and proof that the
ruling classes which you represent are them
selves abashed at the monstrosty of nv con
dennation, and, consequently, of their own vio-
l6fiDn of he most sacred rig ats OF the people
Your decision IN that event wall not only tlhdge
me but also yourself and those whom you reDre-
sent. Judge, then: LOUIS IISGG
P. S.-In order to be sure that this letter viii
come TO your official notice, win send you the
original manuscript as registered letter
L.. Il
GEORGE ENGEL's LETTER.
Deer siE-i' George Enc f., citizen of the United
'o'1'' -, Cnicago, ana condemned to death
learn that thousands OF citizens petition you as
the highest executive officer of the state of I'LL
nois, to commute my sentence Of death TO i'm
prisonment. protest emphatically against this
on the following grounds:
am not aware Of having violated any laws Of
this country. In my firm belief in the constitu-
ion ~. Nr
Qpeathed 10 this people, and which remains ut-
altered, have exercised the right of free speech
free press, free thought and free assemblage, as
guaranteed BY the constitution and have cfiti-
cisco the existing condition of society and sue
cored my fellow citizens with my advice, which I
regard Gs the right of every honest citizen. The
experience which have had in this country, dur
ing the fifteen years that have lived here, con-
corning the ballot and the administration IF our
public functionaries who have become totally cor
rup have eradieated my belief in the existence of
equal rights of poor and rich and the action of the
public officers, police and militia have produced
the firm belief in me that these conditions cannot
last long In accordance with this experience I
have taught and advised This l have done in
good faith of tae rights which are guaranteed hy
the constitution, and not being conscious of my
guilt, the powers that be- may murder me- but
they cannot legally punish me. protest against
q communication of nay sentence, and demand
either liberty or death renounce any kind Of
mercy. Respectfully, GEORGE ENGEL.
ErEs' DEFENSE.
The defense Of August Spies may be found
in many sentences OF his letters to Hiss Van
zandt ard others, and in MS biography and
his notable address to the court before SEN
tenco was pronounced. In the latter he said,
among other things;
''Your honor. speak as the representative of
one class to the representative of another. viii
begin with the words uttered by the Venetian
do%e Falieri to the council Ct ten: lily defense is
your accusation; the causes OF my alleged crime
your history" lits9 later he says: 1.-The con-
crime is that they have dared to speak the truth,
may open the eyes Of the suffering millions, may
wake thoJn up. Indeed have noticed that our
aiready.n